Aerosol dispenser



Oct. 8, 1968 F. FOWLER 3,404,681

AEROSOL DISPENSER Filed Feb. 21, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 H'ank Few/er IN VE N TOR M by wm AEROSOL DISPENSER Filed Feb. 21, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 2 Frank Fowler IN VE N TOR b ZUMM ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,404,681 AEROSOL DISPENSER Frank Fowler, Wilmslow, England, assignor to Benger Laboratories Limited, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, Eng- 5 Claims. (Cl. 128-173) The present invention relates to a pressurized aerosol dispenser for a medicament intended for use by inhalation.

For many bronchial afflictions it is desirable for medicaments to be inhaled directly by the patient, and it has been known for many years that a convenient method for administration of the medicament is by means of an aerosol.

A suitable aerosol may be obtained in various ways, for example by insufilation of a powder, or by dispersing the medicament in a propellant under pressure in a container which ejects a fine spray or aerosol of the medicament. Currently it has been found more convenient to use the latter method and generally the medicament is contained in a small container together with the propellant, and a mouthpiece is fitted onto the container, part of which may be placed in or over the mouth of the patient such that release of the aerosol valve results in a spray-of medicament being directed into the mouth of the patient.

, The patient attempts to take a deep breath and during the inspiration to actuate the aerosol valve in order to provide a dose of the medicament. However two problems arise; firstly, it is difiicult to carry out the actuation at the same time as inspiring deeply since the two actions are difficult to synchronise; secondly, the partof the inspiration into which the dose of medicament is injected by the aerosol is not controlled. For example, if the dose is released near the end of the inspiration the medicament may only be sucked into the mouth and trachea, whereas it is desirable with these medicaments to allow the medicament to penetrate deep into the lungs to the terminal bronchioles. This can be attained by injection of the dose near the beginning of the inspiration and washing the medicament deep into the lungs with more air.

It has now been found that this problem may be overcome by constructing the mouthpiece such that inspiration through the mouthpiece is prevented or restricted until the medicament is released.

Accordingly the present invention is for a pressurised aerosol dispenser of the type described such that inspiration through the mouthpiece is prevented or restricted until the medicament is released.

The mouthpiecenormally actuates the medicament release by pressure on the aerosol valve. Usually the aerosol container is provided with a tubular spring loaded outlet; pressure on the outlet results in ejection of the contents through the outlet. The mouthpiece fits over the aerosol container outlet, the outlet communicating with a channel and nozzle adapted to produce a spray through an orally acceptable mouthpiece, such that compression on the mouthpiece actuates the aerosol release valve. In accordance with conventional arrangements the aerosol container is adapted to deliver a metered dose on each release.

According to one embodiment the present invention is for a pressurised aerosol dispenser for administering a medicament by inhalation which comprises an aerosol container provided with an aerosol release valve and a delivery tu-be provided with means for operating the release valve, wherein said aerosol container is also provided with a recess in the side thereof and wherein one orifice of the delivery tube slidably engages with the outside of the aerosol container, the engagement between the orifice of the tube and the ouside of the aerosol container being substantially airtight in all relative positions of the tube and container except that position where the orifice of the tube is in alignment with the recess in the container at which position a gap at the orifice is created which connects with a space which is provided between the inner wall of the tube and the outside of the container, this space extending to other orifice of the tube and at which position said means operates said release valve. Preferably the recess in the side of the aerosol container extends around a circumference of the container.

This arrangement overcomes the problems noted above. The patient firstbreathes out deeply and then applies the pressurised aerosol dispenser to the mouth and commences to take a deep inspiration. At first all he is able to do is to suck and produce a partial vacuum in the mouthpiece. He then compresses the mouthpiece and aerosol container together to actuate the aerosol valve and this operation releases a dose of medicament and at the same time allows air to flow through the gap created between the delivery tube and the container into the mouthpiece.

The building up of the inspiratory eitect against a vacuum encourages a deep inspiration and also in this case the medicament is released at the beginning of the inspiration.

The loss of breath when sucking against the vacuum provides the incentive for actuating the aerosol valve and thus providing synchrony of release of dose and inspiration.

The present invention also provides a cap for the mouthpiece when it is not in use, the cap serving the dual function of protecting the mouthpiece from contamination and at the same time preventing accidental actuation of the valve While it is being carried in the users handbag or pocket.

Accordingly the present invention is also for a cap provided with an extension which iuterposes between the valve mechanism of the aerosol container and the valve actuation means of the mouthpiece.

In particular the present invention is for a pressurised aerosol dispenser for administering a medicament by inhalation which comprises an aerosol container provided with an aerosol release valve, a delivery tube provided with means for operating the release valve and a cap for said delivery tube, wherein said aerosol container is also provided with a recess in the side thereof and wherein one orifice of the delivery tube slidably engages with the outside of the aerosol container, the engagement between the orifice of the tube and the outside of the aerosol container being substantially airtight in all relative positions of the tube and the container except that positions where the orifice of the tube is in alignment with the recess in the container at which position a gap at the orifice is created which connects with a space which is provided between the inner wall of the tube and the outside of the container, this space extending to the other orifice of the tude and at which position said means operates said release valve and wherein the cap is adapted to fit into the other orifice of the delivery tube, said cap being provided with an extension which interposes between the aerosol release valve and the means on the delivery tube for operating the release valve.

In one form of pressurised aerosol the container is operated in the inverted position so immersing the valve in the liquid aerosol. On opening the valve the pressure inside the container causes the contents to be dischargedthrough the valve in the form of a fine spray or aerosol.

It is common for the valve to operate inside a valve housing which projects to some extent into the body of the aerosol container. As the inlet to the valve housing is usually at its extremity that amount of liquid contained between the inlet to the valve housing and the top of the container in the inverted position will not be discharged. The present invention provides a device which will permit the dispensation of this residual amount of liquid.

. Accordingly the present invention additionally provides a .device for discharging substantially completely the contents of containers containing pressurised aerosols while in the inverted position wherein the container is provided with a valve housing which extends into the interior of the container, said device comprising means for attachment to said housing, said means being provided with a channel which aligns with the inlet to the valve housing and extends to the top of the container, said channel connecting with the interior of the container at or near the top of the container only. In this connection the top of the container refers to the container in its non-inverted position, that is with the valve mechanism uppermost.

This device in elfect transfers the opening of the inlet to the valve housing to the top of the container so that in the inverted position substantially all of the liquid contents of the container will be forced through the valve mechanism by the pressure of the gas in the container.

The device for discharging substantially all the contents of an aerosol container is preferably an envelope comprising a skirt portion and a base portion, a groove extending from the centre of the interior of the base portion along the interior of the skirt portion and radially along the periphery of the skirt portion, said envelope being close-fitting about the valve housing and said groove forming with said valve housing and the top of the container, a channel which extends from the inlet to the valve housing to the top of the container and there connects with the interior of the container.

The container may be a can or a bottle.

The present invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which FIGURE 1 is a vertical section of the upper part of an aerosol can showing the valve mechanism and the delivery tube and FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the cap illustrated in section in FIGURE 1.

Referring to FIGURE 1 an aerosol can 1 has a closure 2 crimped -to it and is provided with a circumferential indentation 13. The valve mechanism projects through closure 2 and is contained in a housing 3. The housing 3 is held in position by an integral extension 4 which is fixed between the closure 2 and the can 1. A gasket 35 between the can 1 and extension 4 seals the can from the atmosphere.

The delivery tube 6 comprises a mouthpiece 7 and a tube 8 which is provided with an inwardly extending lip 9 which ensures an airtight seal between tube 8 and can 1. A projection 10 integral with the delivery tube 6 is pro- ,vided with an opening 11 which connects with a jet 12.

The valve mechanism comprises a metering chamber 14 having an inlet 26 and a movable outlet chamber 15 which projects through an opening 16 in can 1. A projection 17 on the outlet chamber 15 is held against a gasket 5 by means of a spring 19 which at its other end bears against a shoulder 20 in metering chamber 14. An inlet 21 and an outlet 22 are provided in outlet chamber 15. The outlet chamber 15 co-operates with an opening 11 provided in projection 10.

An envelope comprising a skirt portion 24 and a base portion 25 is closed fitting about metering chamber 14. A groove 27 extendng from the centre of the base portion 25, along the skirt portion 24 and radially along the periphery of the skirt portion 24 forms with the walls of the metering chamber 14 and gasket 35 a channel connecting inlet 26 with the interior of can 1 at a position next to the top of the can.

The cap 28 is shown in position in the delivery tube 6 in FIGURE 1. The cap itself is illustrated in FIGURE 2 and is seen to comprise an end piece 29 provided with a bifurcated projection 30 consisting of a hollow cylinder diagonally cut away at 31 and forked at 32. The cap is adapted to be inserted in the mouthpiece 7 as illustrated in FIGURE 1 in which position it bears against the top of the aerosol can 1, thus preventing relative movement between the container and the mouthpiece. With the cap in position therefore it is not possible for the aerosol valve to be operated. The projection 30 passes around outlet chamber 15 which lies between the prongs of fork 32. It is not necessary therefore to disengage the delivery tube 6 from the can 1 when the cap 28 is in position. The cap 28 also serves to take the load off spring 19 by lifting delivery tube 6 and creating a gap between outlet chamber 15 and its seating in projection 10.

In use cap 28 is removed and the inhaler is inverted from the position shown in the drawings. In this position the region around the valve housing 3 and the envelope will be filled with the medicament/propellant composition. Due to the pressure in the can 1 this composition will be forced along channel 27 through inlet 26 into the metering chamber 14. The user now depresses the delivery tube '6 downward along the can 1. Consequent upon this movement the outlet chamber 15 moves into metering chamber 14 compressing spring 19 between projection 17 and shoulder 23. Eventually the base of outlet chamber 15 seals the inlet 26 to metering chamber 14 and inlet 21 connects the metering chamber 14 to the outlet chamber 15 so venting the medicament in the metering chamber through outlet 22 and jet 12 into mouthpiece 7 whence the medicament is drawn into the lungs of the user by inhalation. Simultaneous with the release of medicament through the mouthpiece the projection 9 on the delivery tube comes into line with the indentation 13 on the surface of the can so permitting the free passage of air into the mouthpiece on inhalation. In the non-discharge position shown in the drawing the projection 9 makes an air-tight seal with the can 1. Therefore if the user places the mouthpiece 7 to his mouth he will find it difficult or impossible to suck air through the mouthpiece. It will be seen that it is only possible to inhale when projection 9 coincides with identation 13 at which point it is arranged for the medicament to be discharged.

The envelope comprising skirt 24 and base 25 is very simple to manufacture and easy to fit to the valve housing. Using it the last remnants of composition in the can are easily scavenged from the can. Instead of the envelope the normal dip-tube may be used in which case the inhaler is used in the non-inverted position.

I claim:

1. A pressurized aerosol dispenser for administering a medicament by inhalation, which comprises an aerosol container having an aerosol release valve having valve operating means thereon, and a delivery tube having two orifices therein, said aerosol container having a recess in the side thereof and said delivery tube having an inwardly directed flange defining one orifice of the delivery tube which flange is slidably engaged with the outside of the aerosol container, there being a space within said delivery tube between said delivery tube and the outside of said container and extending from said one orifice to the other orifice, the engagement between the flange on the delivery tube defining the one orifice and the outside of the aerosol container being substantially airtight in all relative positions of the tube and the container except that position where the flange on the tube is in alignment with the recess in the container, at which position a gap at the orifice is created which connects with the space which is provided between the inner wall of the tube and the outside of the container, said delivery tube having engaging means engaging said valve operating means and operating said valve when said delivery tube is at the said position creating said gap.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the recess in the side of the aerosol container extends around a circumference of the container.

3. A pressurised aerosol dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein a valve housing for said aerosol release valve is provided inside said container and wherein an envelope close-fitting about said housing is provided, said envelope comprising a skirt portion and a base portion, said envelope having a groove extending from the centre of the interior of the base portion along the interior of the skirt portion and radially along the periphery of the skirt portion, said groove forming with said valve housing and the top of the container, 21 channel which extends from the inlet to the valve housing to the top of the container and there connects with the interior of the container.

4. A pressurized aerosol dispenser as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising a cap for said delivery tube fitted into said other orifice therein, said cap having an extension thereon lying against the lower portion of the wall of said delivery tube, which extension extends to a point between said engaging means on said delivery tube and said top of said container and when said cap is fitted into said other orifice said extension engages the top of the container and blocks movement of said delivery tube relative to said container.

5. A pressurised aerosol dispenser for administering a medicament by inhalation, which comprises an aerosol container having an aerosol release valve having valve operating means thereon, and a delivery tube having two orifices therein, said aerosol container having a recess in the side thereof and said delivery tube having an inwardly directed flange defining one orifice of the delivery tube which flange is slidably engaged with the outside of the aerosol container, there being a space within said delivery tube between said delivery tube and the outside of said container and extending from said one orifice to the other orifice, the engagement between the flange on the delivery tube defining the one orifice and the outside of the aerosol container being substantially airtight in all relative positions of the tube and the container except that position where the flange on the tube is in alignment with the recess in the container, at which position a gap at the orifice is created which connects with the space which is provided between the inner wall of the tube and the outside of the container, said delivery tube having engaging means engaging said valve operating means and operating said valve when said delivery tube is at the said position creating said gap, and a cap for said delivery tube and fitted into the other orifice, said cap having an extension thereon which extends between said engaging means on said delivery tube and said container when said cap is fitted into said other orifice for preventing movement of said delivery tube relative to said container.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,886,217 5/1959 Thiel.

2,965,100 12/1960 Bridges 128-208 2,985,382 5/1961 Coplan 222-394 3,006,340 10/1961 Meshberg 128-203 3,001,524 9/1961 Maison et a1 128-208 X 3,107,670 10/1963 Silson et al. 128-208 X 3,183,907 5/1965 Bush et al 128-208 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM E. KAMM, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PRESSURIZED AEROSOL DISPENSER FOR ADMINISTERING A MEDICAMENT BY INHALATION, WHICH COMPRISES AN AEROSOL CONTAINER HAVING AN AEROSOL RELEASE VALVE HAVING VALVE OPERATING MEANS THEREON, AND A DELIVERY TUBE HAVING TWO ORIFICES THEREIN, SAID AEROSOL CONTAINER HAVING A RECESS IN THE SIDE THEREOF AND SAID DELIVERY TUBE HAVING AN INWARDLY DIRECTED FLANGE DEFINING ONE ORIFICE OF THE DELIVERY TUBE WHICH FLANGE IS SLIDABLY ENGAGED WITH THE OUTSIDE OF THE AEROSOL CONTAINER, THERE BEING A SPACE WITHIN THE DELIVERY TUBE BETWEEN SAID DELIVERY TUBE AND THE OUTSIDE OF SAID CONTAINER AND EXTENDING FROM SAID ONE ORIFICE TO THE OTHER ORIFICE, THE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE FLANGE ON THE DELIVERY TUBE DEFINING THE ONE ORIFICE AND THE OUTSIDE OF THE AEROSOL CONTAINER BEING SUBSTANTIALLY AIRTIGHT IN ALL RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE TUBE AND THE CONTAINER EXCEPT THAT POSITION WHERE THE FLANGE ON THE TUBE IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE RECESS IN THE CONTAINER, AT WHICH POSITION A GAP AT THE ORIFICE IS CREATED WHICH CONNECTS WITH THE SPACE WHICH IS PROVIDED BETWEEN THE INNER WALL OF THE TUBE AND THE OUTSIDE OF THE CONTAINER, SAID DELIVERY TUBE HAVING ENGAGING MEANS ENGAGING SAID VALVE OPERATING MEANS AND OPERATING SAID VALVE WHEN SAID DELIVERY TUBE IS AT THE SAID POSITION CREATING SAID GAP. 